CMA FEST Banner.jpeg

‘An apple a day...’ for good music all day! CMA Fest kicks off in Nashville

RFD-TV’s own Tammi Arender was down on Broadway covering all the action at CMA Fest when she stumbled upon some apple farmers from North-Central Washington selling a new, must-try apple variety.

Thousands of visitors are flooded the streets of Nashville on Thursday for CMA Fest. This year marks the 50th in the history of the popular summer country music festival.

RFD-TV’s own Tammi Arender ran into some apple farmers from North-Central Washington when she was covering all the action at CMA Fest. The Sugar Bee Apple Orchard, set up right in the middle of Broadway, were offering a healthy snack option to the 200,000- 300,000 country music fans expected to descend on Music City over the weekend.

“The Sugar Bee is a newer variety that was created by the Sugar Bee when it landed on a honey crisp blossom and pollinated it with another variety, and we got this juicy, delicious, amazing apple — and we wanted to share it with you guys!” Said Ashley Rowe, a grower from Sugar Bee Apple Orchard. “We’ve heard from so many people say, ‘Oh, this is the best apple I’ve ever tasted!’ It really is the best apple!”

We will continue our coverage of the 50th CMA Fest through the rest of this week, so stay tuned to RFD-TV on-air and across all of our social media accounts for more from Music City U.S.A!

Related Stories
Hurd joined this week’s Champions of Rural America to review the proposed Farm Bill moving through the House and discuss its potential impact on rural communities and farmers across the country.
Crop value concentration keeps farm income tied closely to commodity price cycles.
Colorado Congressman Jeff Hurd joins Champions of Rural America to share insights into the Western Caucus legislative priorities as they champion wildfire prevention and mitigation in the West.
National FFA Southern Region Vice President T. Wayne William talks about Wear Blue Day, the history of the blue jacket, and why the tradition continues to inspire pride and connection among FFA members nationwide.
NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart discussed the legal process behind delisting the prairie chicken, the challenges ranchers faced under the bird’s previous protections, and the benefits of cooperative habitat management for both livestock and wildlife.
U.S.-Mexico agricultural trade faces uncertainty in 2026 as tariffs and cartel violence threaten farmers and ranchers. Congressman Henry Cuellar and Texas leaders weigh in on impacts and risks.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

FFA Program Specialist Ashli Weinrich highlights how the FFA Next Gen Conference helps ag students explore career opportunities and build skills for the future.
Vanessa Wood shares more about Ag Women Connect, the importance of uplifting women in agriculture, and upcoming projects designed to highlight stories across rural America.
Strong exports support cattle and hog market fundamentals.
StoneX Director of Fertilizer Josh Linville looks at fertilizer market volatility, potential impacts on planting decisions, and what farmers should watch as the global situation in the Middle East continues to unfold.
House ag leaders had hoped to get the Farm Bill voted on by Easter, but no dates have been secured just yet.
Kansas State University agricultural economist Dr. Gregg Ibendahl discusses rising diesel prices, the influence of global oil markets, and the potential impact on farmers heading into the spring planting season.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
RFD+ EXCLUSIVE | This hour-long show explores the trains and locomotives that aided the growth of travel, further settlement, and the development of a variety of American industries and agricultural ventures.
The Presley Family built Branson’s Original Show on the Strip. “Presleys’ Country Jubilee” was a smash hit, and people from across the country lined up every night for a chance to hear the country music and comedy the Presley Family loved to perform.
Analiese Gregory is taking one of the biggest risks of her life: she’s left her successful career as a restaurant chef and bought a century-old cottage at the bottom of the world, in pristine Tasmania, Australia. We share her journey of discovery as she gets under the skin of her new home – and learns to live seasonally off the land, by hunting, fishing, and foraging.
Hosted by Agriculture Broadcaster Brian Baxter, RFD Network’s popular series “Classic Tractor Fever” is a must-see for any tractor enthusiast. It’s the place to find the history, stories, and passion of collectors who preserve these beautiful and amazing pieces of our agricultural past.
This half-hour program showcases the finest traditional country music that America has to offer. Recorded live at the four-acre Circle T Arena in Hamilton, Texas, each episode of TruCountry features live performances by some of the nation’s most authentic country music artists, playing good-time songs to a jam-packed dance floor.